First off I want to say something.
This lens is nearly perfect.
Scoff if you must. Understandable. It is a rather bold claim. But hear me out. To wit:
- It is a 50mm equivalent lens.
- While 35mm or 40mm lenses have made strong runs for the throne 50mm is still my favorite.
- f/2.5.
- A fine aperture.
- Macro.
- It has a full fledged macro mode while being very…
- Compact.
- Combined with the GXR body it makes for a relatively tiny package given its focal length and macro capabilities.
- Sharp.
- Not tack sharp… pixel peeping sharp… but plenty sharp enough.
- Great colors.
- It is attached to a wonderful sensor.
That last bullet is key since the sensor and lens are combined with the GXR system. But here is the thing…
I would love to be able to use these optics with other sensors. I have used quite a few 50mm equivalent lenses for crop sensors but none measure up when looking at all the bullets above. But no lens is perfect. So there are two downsides.
- AF can be slow.
- Serviceable in the normal mode.
- It hunts quite a bit in macro mode so manual is your best bet.
- As far as I can tell these optics are only available for the GXR.
But I gladly accept this when I look at the resulting images. I purposely took many images along the same route as I did with a recent post with the 28mm GXR faux GR module.
Here they are.
Next few killing time at Best Buy while getting my radio install repaired.
I like this lens and sensor.
And what I counted as a minus above is also a positive. The GXR system.
- It is tiny.
- Great controls and ergonomics.
- The direct menu is a plus.
- The built in flash.
- The optional EVF.
- Surprisingly all of one feeling given its modular design.
- Snap focus.
- Different lenses and sensors, some with VR.
- I’ll stop myself here.
Said another way… The GR is very popular and has a near cult following. New prices are steep and used samples hold their value well. And there are now two focal length versions. Want both GR focal lengths? Buy two GR cameras. Want two GXR focal lengths? Buy the modules you like at a much lower price. You can even buy Infrared modified modules for less than the price of an available light filter. And… I say again… an honest to goodness optional EVF. Something the GR does not offer at any price. I say again.
What a fun little camera.
Happy capturing.
-ELW
Eric L. Woods 